First Time Jeep Owner JT Build

[Nocandoozy]

Howdy. First post.

I haven’t seen a ton of posts regarding Metalcloaks 2.5” leveling lift so I figured I’d share mine for future buyers of this kit. For reference, I’m on KO2 37x12.50x17 with Mopar beadlock capable wheels.

I opted for the aftermarket driveshaft just to get it out of the way now.

I tested some clearances at Prairie City OHV this last weekend. Went with 3” of bump stops in the rear. Going to drop it to 2” as I had a few inches of fender clearance in the rear after completely compressing the rear factory bump stop.

I have a 3/4” rear spacer on the way and will update once I have that installed.

Also dealing with a random CEL for a P0300 that occasionally will pop up and then disappear on it’s own without being cleared. 2022 3 weeks old with 3k miles. Will update that as it gets fixed as well.

All in all, very happy with the JT. Easily outperforms my Toyota 4Runner with significantly less money in mods spent on the Jeep. Just gotta hope it comes decently close in reliability and longevity.

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[glassjawkid32]

Looking good. That kit is a pretty good value. Anyone know if the aftermarket driveshaft is really necessary with the kit only being 2.5?

 

[Nocandoozy]

Looking good. That kit is a pretty good value. Anyone know if the aftermarket driveshaft is really necessary with the kit only being 2.5?

Per Metalcloak, yes. If you plan on disconnecting the sway bar the amount of droop causes the oem driveshaft to bind at the transfer case. Metalcloak has pictures of the issue in the installation instructions.

Now.. with that said my wheeling buddy ran their 3.5' Game Changer with the oem driveshaft for 10k+ miles and never had an issue. Granted, we weren't checking for issues or binding.

Over time I'll be building up to the game changer as budget permits so I figured I'd get it out of the way now. I don't want to give my Jeep any more reasons to end up at a dealership for repairs.

 

[glassjawkid32]

Per Metalcloak, yes. If you plan on disconnecting the sway bar the amount of droop causes the oem driveshaft to bind at the transfer case. Metalcloak has pictures of the issue in the installation instructions.

Now.. with that said my wheeling buddy ran their 3.5' Game Changer with the oem driveshaft for 10k+ miles and never had an issue. Granted, we weren't checking for issues or binding.

Over time I'll be building up to the game changer as budget permits so I figured I'd get it out of the way now. I don't want to give my Jeep any more reasons to end up at a dealership for repairs.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[Jteakus]

@Nocandoozy ,ever get those rear spacers installed? Pics?

 

[Nocandoozy]

@Nocandoozy ,ever get those rear spacers installed? Pics?

I did not. My Gladiator has changed quite a bit since my initial post. I'm now on Metalcloak's game changer lift. Rear spacers are still in the box, never opened.

 

[Nocandoozy]

Going to be updating this thread with new info and pics as the build has grown quite a bit.
- Added a front bumper with winch
- Full Metalcloak lift
- Adventurelabs Fender chop kit
- Destroyed my Metalcloak lift due to Mopar's inaccurate backspacing info on their beadlock wheel
- Replaced everything
- Dirtylife -38 Roadkills
- Broke rear sway bar end link frame mount's on a frame twister styled obstacle
- CEL for random misfiring finally went away, no "jeep" issues for almost 6k miles

Stay tuned!

 

[In3briatedPanda]

when you went to the gamechanger do your shocks bow after install?

I put the true dual on and I noticed the front springs looked funny. Figured they would settle with a few miles but they never did. Contacted metalcloak about it and they sent me some new inserts (zero charge to me) to take out the bow of the springs, curious if you had that experience.

Metalcloaks customer service is amazing btw.

 

[Nocandoozy]

Since my last post, the next thing I did was opt out of spacers and went with Metalcloak’s true dual rate kit. Here’s a pic of it flexed out at my local Toyota shop (Stellarbuilt, check em out!) I previously had a heavily modified 5th Gen 4runner and they were my go-to shop for custom fabbing. They also had some fun with

 

[Nocandoozy]

when you went to the gamechanger do your shocks bow after install?

I put the true dual on and I noticed the front springs looked funny. Figured they would settle with a few miles but they never did. Contacted metalcloak about it and they sent me some new inserts (zero charge to me) to take out the bow of the springs, curious if you had that experience.

Metalcloaks customer service is amazing btw.

Nope. I got their coil correction pads and installed the lift with the pads. It's been a few weeks, no coil bowing at all.

 

[In3briatedPanda]

Nope. I got their coil correction pads and installed the lift with the pads. It's been a few weeks, no coil bowing at all.

my kit didnt have those. Still super happy with the kit. Ill get it built to the game changer by next year. great looking Jeep!

 

[Nocandoozy]

Went with a VKS Fab Villian front bumper. I like the simplistic look to it. Used steelit to paint it myself. Followed by a Gen 3 Smittybilt XRC 12k winch. Nothing like spending $3k on a lift to cheap out the winch huh?

 

[Nocandoozy]

my kit didnt have those. Still super happy with the kit. Ill get it built to the game changer by next year. great looking Jeep!

Yeah I had to buy them separately. 100% recommend them and they're cheap.

 

[Nocandoozy]

Went to Hollister the weekend after installing the bumper and here’s where I sustained some damage.

Mopar’s beadlock wheels are listed as 4.4” of backspacing per their website. The MC game changer requires a minimum of 4.5” of backspacing. I thought I was in the clear.. I was not. During a frame twister my front passenger tire was flexing and rubbing against my sway bar end link. This left a nasty gash in the tire, and a bent sway bar link resulting in a flat bed tow all the way home.

Also, my rear sway link frame mounts where bent and warped beyond use. I had to cut them off, and use Metalcloak’s rear sway link frame mounts.

I replaced the ruined tire and measured the backspacing on the Mopar beadlock - 5.2”

 

[Nocandoozy]

Metalcloak’s customer service was fantastic and replaced my broken metalcloak parts for free.

Next up, I added Dirtylife Roadkill beadlocks with -38mm offset (3.5” backspacing) and Americanadventurelabs high clearance chop led lights. Hell of a difference in appearance.

I will be wheeling this weekend to test clearances. I have a feeling the rear wheels will rub in the rear fender so I’ll be bringing extra rear bumpstops on the trip for adjustments.

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